BACKGROUND:So far, the short-term changes of various organs after injection of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells have been reported, but there are few studies on the long-term changes of various organs in healthy rats after repeated intramuscular injection of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells. OBJECTIVE:To observe the security of intramuscular injection of heterogeneous umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells. METHODS:Sixty male SPF Wistar rats were divided into six groups randomly:normal group (suspension liquid of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells);control group with culture solution;supernatant group (supernatant of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells);low concentration group (0.25×105 human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells);moderate concentration group (1.0×105 human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells);high concentration group (4.0×105 human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells). Each rat was injected 0.8 mL liquid in muscle, 0.2 mL in each limb, twice at weeks 1 and 4. Biochemical tests were conducted before and after injection. At the end of 8 weeks, al the rats were kil ed and hematoxylin-eosin staining was done with the liver, spleen, lung, kidney, brain and muscle.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:There was no abnormal change about biochemical tests and hematoxylin-eosin staining after the intramuscular injection of heterogeneous umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells. No significant alteration was observed in the liver, spleen, lung, kidney, brain, and muscle of the limb after the injection of heterogeneous umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells under suitable concentration. These findings indicate intramuscular injection of heterogeneous umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells at certain concentrations is safe and reliable.

Objective To investigate the immunological pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease( KD)through examination of changes in the expression of suppressors of cytokine signaling 1(SOCS1)and SOCS3,helper T cells and CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells(CD4 + CD25 + Treg)in peripheral blood from children with acute KD. Methods Six-teen children[10 boys,6 girls,aged 1 - 2 years old,averaged(1. 6 ± 0. 3)years old]in the acute phase of KD(KD group),16 children[9 boys,7 girls,aged 1 - 3 years old,averaged(1. 5 ± 1. 1)years old]with pneumonia(pneumo-nia group)and 8 normal children[5 boys,3 girls,aged 1 - 5 years old,averaged(2. 0 ± 1. 1)years old]of the same age(normal control group)from the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University who were admitted from October 2012 to March 2013 were recruited. The mRNA levels of SOCS1 and SOCS3 in the T cells from peripheral blood were examined by way of reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction(RT - PCR). Interferon - γ( IFN - γ),interleukin - 4 (IL - 4)and CD4 + CD25 + Treg were quantified by means of fluorescence activated cell sorting(FACS). Results The expressions of SOCS1 and SOCS3,the percentage of IL - 4 T cells observed in the peripheral blood of the pneumonia group were similar to the normal control group(P ﹥ 0. 05),but significantly decreased in the percentage of INF - γ and the level of CD4 + CD25 + Treg(t = 3. 71,12. 81,all P ﹤ 0. 05). Compared to the normal control group and the pneumo-nia group,the expressions of SOCS1 and SOCS3,the percentage of INF - γ and IL - 4 T cells decreased significantly in the peripheral blood of the KD group(t = 2. 27,4. 48,17. 64,2. 73,2. 74,1. 25,2. 36,2. 59,all P ﹤0. 05 ). On the other hand,the level of CD4 + CD25 + Treg in the peripheral blood of the KD group was markedly lower than that in the normal control group(t =7. 70,P ﹤0. 05),but similar to the pneumonia group(P ﹥0. 05). Conclusions The function of helper T cells is inhibited in acute KD. The CD4 + CD25 + Treg may be involved in the immunological pathogenesis of KD.

Objective To assess the value of procalcitonin(PCT)measurement to differentiate infection from non-infection in critically ill patients requiring long-term immunosuppressive therapy.Methods A prospective study was conducted in patients with underlying diseases requiring corticosteroids or chemotherapy in ICU from January 2008 to December 2009.Patients were divided into the infection group and the non-infection group and their PCT levels were compared.Results A total of 103 patients (65 women)were enrolled in this prospective study[aged(47.9 ± 21.9)years old]with 84 in the infection group and 19 in the non-infection group.The baseline level of PCT was significantly higher in infection than in non-infection patients[2.58(0.08-44.65)pg/L vs 0.62(0.15-6.00)pg/L,P =0.002].Different levels of PCT were manifested in different pathogen groups with 3.41(0.45-44.65)pg/L in bacteria infection,0.99(0.28-6.67)pg/L in fungus infection,0.11(0.08-0.20)pg/L in virus infection group(P =0.018).The AUCROC of PCT was 0.867 for diagnostic bacterial infection.By multivariate analysis,the factors associated with the level of PCT were bacteria infection(OR 5.1,P =0.031)and septic shock(OR 7.5,P =0.027),while the factors not associated with the level of PCT were age,renal function,infection site and prognosis(P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The level of PCT is increased in the critically ill patients requiring immunosuppressive therapy with infection and it can be used for diagnosis for bacterial infection.

Objective To evaluate fluid responsiveness by stroke volume variation (SVV) in mechanically ventilated patients with refractory septic shock.Methods Forty-two refractory septic shock patients were enrolled in the study.According to the responsiveness of fluid loading, the patients were divided into responsive group and non-responsive group.The SVV values of two groups were retrospectively analyzed.The receiver operating characteristic curve was drafted to determine the cut-off value of SVV for predicting fluid responsiveness.Results Among the 42 refractory septic shock patients, 24 were found responsive to fluid loading, 18 were not;before the fluid loading, central venous pressure, heart rate, mean arterial pressure and global end-diastolic volume index in the both groups showed no significant differences whereas the SVV in the responsive group was much higher than that in the nonresponsive group (P =0.006).Using SVV ≥ 12% as the threshold to predict fluid responsiveness, the sensitivity was 77%,specificity was 85%.Conclusion SVV can accurately predict fluid responsiveness in refractory septic shock patients.

Objective To analyze the common reasons for misdiagnosis of atypical pulmonary embolism (APE) ,and to im‐prove the identification of APE .Methods The risk factors ,clinical manifestations ,laboratory examinations and radiographic data of 120 cases of APE diagnosed from January 2006 to December 2013 in the department of cardiovascular medicine and respiratory medicine of Xinqiao Hospital and the Affiliated Hospital of Luzhou Medical College were studied retrospectively .Results Among those 120 cases of APE ,39 cases were misdiagnosed on admission (32 .5% ) .8 cases were misdiagnosed as acute coronary syn‐drome ,7 cases as stable angina pectoris ,7 cases as chronic cor pulmonale ,5 cases as pneumonia ,3 cases as pleural effusion ,3 cases as tuberculosis ,3 cases as asthma ,1 case as atrial septal defect ,1 case as acute heart failure ,and 1 case as cardiogenic syncope .Con‐clusion APE is easy to be misdiagnosed for its non‐specific clinical manifestation .Pulmonary enhanced CT or CTPA should be car‐ried out in time for those highly suspected patients ,in order to reduce the misdiagnosis of APE .

Objective To explore the high-risk factors of metabolic bone disease (MBD) in premature infants by retrospective analysis of the clinical data so as to provide evidence for optimal clinical management. Methods Clinical data of premature infants with birth weight<1500 g admitted in our hospital from January 2016 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Infants with serum alkaline phosphatase ( ALP )>500 IU/L and blood phosphorus <1. 5 mmol/L were selected as MBD group and premature infants with birth weight <1500 g were selected randomly as non-MBD group. General data, pulmonary surfactant, continuous positive airway pressure, mechanical ventilation, start time of enteral nutrition, parenteral nutrition ( PN) time, breast feeding time and breast milk fortifier adding, drug usage, hospitalization time and complications were re-corded and compared between the two groups. Results A total of 440 premature infants with birth weight<1500 g were admitted to the hospital during the study period. 58 [ 13. 2％ ( 58/440) ] infants were enrolled in the MBD group, among which infants with birth weight<1000 g accounting for 56. 9％ ( 33/58) . High birth weight (OR=0. 62, 95％ CI:0. 389-0. 990) was an independent protective factor of MBD in premature in-fants. The higher the birth weight, the lower the risk of MBD in premature infants. The longer duration of breast feeding time ( OR= 2. 191, 95％ CI:1. 628-2. 950) , later initial time of enteral feeding ( OR=2. 695, 95％CI:1. 710-4. 248), longer duration of PN (OR=6. 205, 95％ CI:3. 359-11. 463) time, longer duration of respiratory supporting time ( OR=1. 046, 95％ CI:1. 026-. 067) , longer hospital stay time ( OR=1. 703, 95％ CI:1. 109-2. 615) and small for gestational age ( OR=2. 965, 95％ CI:1. 163-5. 658) were inde-pendent risk factors of MBD in premature infants. The duration of PN was the most important independent risk factor of MBD in premature infants (OR=6.205, 95％ CI: 3.359-11.463). Conclusion Multiple factors can lead to MBD of premature infants. The high birth weight is an independent protective factor of MBD and the duration of PN is the most important independent risk factor of MBD in premature infants.

Objective:To study the effects of different sizes of maternal placental chorionic hemangioma (PCH) on neonatal clinical outcome.Methods:February 2013 to December 2020, neonates whose mothers with PCH delivered in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. According to the diameter of PCH, the neonates were assigned into giant PCH group (diameter≥4 cm) and ordinary PCH group (diameter<4 cm). Clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 35 cases were enrolled in the study. 13 cases (37.1%) were male, 12 cases (34.3%) were Cesarean section delivered, 11 cases (31.4%) were premature infants, 12 cases (34.3%) had low birth weight and 12 cases (34.3%) were admitted to NICU, 7 cases (20.0%) had intrauterine distress, cardiac enlargement and abnormal hematological indexes, respectively, 6 cases (17.1%) needed respiratory support; 5 cases (14.2%) had increased amniotic fluid and fetal edema, respectively, 4 cases (11.4%) received blood transfusion, 3 cases (8.5%) had postnatal asphyxia, 2 cases (5.7%) had brain injury and 2 cases (5.7%) had congenital malformation. 15 cases were in the giant PCH group and 20 cases in the ordinary PCH group. Compared with the ordinary PCH group, the giant PCH group had significantly higher incidences of prematurity, low birth weight, increased amniotic fluid, intrauterine distress, NICU hospitalization, fetal edema, cardiac enlargement, respiratory support, abnormal hematological indexes, blood transfusion and mortality ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Maternal complications with giant PCH may significantly increase the risk of neonatal complications, thus perinatal monitoring should be strengthened.【 Key words】Placental chorionic hemangioma; Infant, newborn; Clinical outcome

Objective:To investigate the effects of nutritional intake in the first two weeks of life on bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants with gestational age (GA) ≤ 32 weeks.Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted 154 preterm infants with birth weight ≤ 1500 g and GA ≤ 32 weeks were enrolled from neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2017. These infants were divided into BPD group or non-BPD group. All clinical and nutritional data were collected and analyzed to investigate the effects of early-life (within 2 weeks after birth) nutritional intake on BPD.Results:Among a total of 154 eligible neonates, 68 were without BPD and 86 with BPD (55.8%). Mild, moderate and severe BPD accounted for 39.5% (34/86), 58.1%(50/86)and 2.4%(2/86)of all BPD cases respectively. GA and birth-weight of BPD group were significantly lower than that of non-BPD group [(28.35 ± 1.55)weeks vs. (30.12 ± 1.23)weeks; (1050.91 ± 190.6)g vs. (1205.88 ± 195.83)g, both P = 0.000]. The duration of mechanical ventilation in BPD group was longer than that in non-BPD group [(2.65 ± 1.08)days vs. (0.47 ± 0.12)days, P < 0.05]. The incidences of complications in BPD group, including neonatal asphyxia, sepsis and patent ductus arteriosus, were all higher than those in non-BPD group( P < 0.05). The fluids and caloric intake, enteral fluids and caloric intake were significantly lower in BPD group on Day 7 and 14 of life ( P < 0.05). The macronutrient intake in BPD group was also consistently lower, reaching statistical significance for carbohydrate intake on Day 7 and 14 of life, and for protein and lipid intake on Day 14 of life ( P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that mechanical ventilation ( OR = 2.257, 95% CI: 1.143~4.456, P = 0.019) and GA ( OR = 0.325, 95% CI: 0.215~0.49, P = 0.000) were high-risk factors for BPD. The decreased odds of developing BPD were associated with higher levels of enteral calories on Day 14 of life ( OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94~0.98, P = 0.000), fluids on Day 7 of life ( OR = 0.927, 95% CI: 0.876~0.981, P = 0.009) and protein intake on Day 14 of life ( OR = 0.044, 95% CI: 0.011~0.177, P = 0.000). Conclusions:GA and mechanical ventilation were independent high-risk factors for BPD. Higher intake of protein and enteral calories were protective factors. Proactive early enteral nutrition support, adequate protein intake and decreasing the duration of mechanical ventilation may reduce the risk of BPD.

Objective:To study the risk factors and clinical outcomes of early pulmonary hypertension in preterm infants with gestational age(GA)≤32 w.Methods:From October 2017 to May 2021,preterm infants with GA≤ 32 w admitted to NICU of our hospital were retrospectively studied. According to their echocardiography 2 w after birth, the infants were assigned into early-onset pulmonary hypertension (ePH) group and non-PH group. SPSS 21.0 statistical software was used to analyze the general status, complications and clinical outcomes of the two groups. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of early-onset PH.Results:A total of 183 cases were enrolled, including 24 in the ePH group and 159 in the non-PH group. The incidences of birth asphyxia, hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA), FiO 2≥30% within 6 h after birth, late-onset PH, severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD) and intracranial hemorrhage(ICH) in the ePH group were significantly higher than the non-PH group( P<0.05). hsPDA was the independent risk factor for early-onset PH ( OR=11.781, 95% CI 4.192-33.108). Conclusions:Preterm infants with GA≤32 w and early-onset PH are at increased risks of ICH, late-onset PH and severe BPD, hsPDA is the independent risk factor for early-onset PH.